Joystiqhttp://www.joystiq.com
Joystiqhttp://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gifJoystiqhttp://www.joystiq.com
en-usCopyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/slash-looks-back-at-working-with-activision-on-guitar-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/slash-looks-back-at-working-with-activision-on-guitar-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/slash-looks-back-at-working-with-activision-on-guitar-hero/#commentsReal-life guitar hero Slash was in Los Angeles last week promoting a new music game called BandFuse: Rock Legends. Speaking to Joystiq, he shared some insight on what it was like to work with Activision for the immensely popular Guitar Hero series. "A lot of kids tripped out," says the former Guns and Roses guitarist, "because they were under the impression that the character in Guitar Hero was just that character. So a lot of kids trip out that I was actually a real person."

Once they found out that he was an actual person who was in an actual band, however, Slash says Guitar Hero was surprisingly effective at winning new fans. "It opened up the doors of a demographic that was way younger than me," he says. "I had no idea that would happen." He couldn't speak to the lawsuit that claims the game took advantage of his GnR connection, but he does say the game has inspired a much younger generation to check out classic rock.

As for interest going the other way, Slash says he hasn't found the time for video games -- not even his own. "I couldn't play it," he says, "because I was actually in the game and it was too surreal."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>funnyGH3GH3-Legends-Of-Rockguitar-heroGuitar-Hero-3Guitar-Hero-3-Legends-Of-RocklegendsLegends-Of-Rockmicrosoftplaystationps3rock-starslashxboxWed, 22 Feb 2012 14:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/activision-considering-dlc-subscription-service-for-guitar-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/activision-considering-dlc-subscription-service-for-guitar-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/activision-considering-dlc-subscription-service-for-guitar-hero/#comments
At Activision Blizzard's Analyst Day, CEO Mike Griffith spoke of plans to offer a subscription service option for the Guitar Hero games. "We're exploring new models, like an annual pass subscription where players can subscribe and get a certain number of songs downloadable each month." No prices or launch dates were discussed, but we are assuming those who regularly purchase DLC for the Guitar Hero games will be able to save a few bucks.

In the realm of rumors, former lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses Slash said a Rolling Stone interview that Guitar Hero: Hendrix is coming. "Well, having the Aerosmith guys do it was very cool 'cause Aerosmith's one of the bands I was heavily influenced by. And Metallica's doing it, that's great. Those are two ones that I think gives it some credibility. And they're doing a Hendrix one, which is great." Activision won't comment on the rumor, but with the guitar virtuoso making an appearance in the upcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour, it wouldn't surprise us in the least if this came true.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, legendary guitarist Slash may have let slip that Activision is working on a Hendrix edition when commenting about his support for the Guitar Hero franchise. "Having the Aerosmith guys do it was very cool 'cause Aerosmith's one of the bands I was heavily influenced by. And Metallica's doing it, that's great. Those are two ones that I think gives it some credibility. And they're doing a Hendrix one, which is great." Sounds to us like we're in for a heaping helping of Guitar Hero in 2009. Please, pass the gravy.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionguitar-heroguitar-hero-hendrixrumorrumorsslashThu, 18 Sep 2008 10:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/17/rumor-slash-accidentally-reveals-guitar-hero-hendrix/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/17/rumor-slash-accidentally-reveals-guitar-hero-hendrix/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/17/rumor-slash-accidentally-reveals-guitar-hero-hendrix/#commentsHas frizzy-haired Guns N' Roses guitar legend Slash mistakenly leaked news of a Jimi Hendrix-themed Guitar Hero title? In an interview with Rolling Stone, the axe-shredder ended up discussing Activision's mega-franchise, and appeared to let news of a future release slip. "Well, having the Aerosmith guys do it was very cool 'cause Aerosmith's one of the bands I was heavily influenced by," he enthused. "And Metallica's doing it, that's great. Those are two ones that I think gives it some credibility. And they're doing a Hendrix one, which is great."

While aging rock guitarists aren't our usual source for games industry gossip, this is totally believable; after all, it's likely Activision will produce a Guitar Hero: Hendrix sooner or later, given the company's love of money. But somebody at Activision needs to have a quiet word with Slash, because the man is plainly off the chain. First he changes his name to a violent-sounding verb, and now he's giving away Activision's trade secrets like they're candy. Could he be any more rock 'n' roll?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionguitar-heroguns-n-roseshendrixjimi-hendrixmusicrhythmslashWed, 17 Sep 2008 14:33:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/ozzy-signed-ghiii-package-up-for-auction/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/ozzy-signed-ghiii-package-up-for-auction/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/ozzy-signed-ghiii-package-up-for-auction/#comments
This is a pretty interesting auction, if we may say so. For one, we can understand if, say, Slash or Tom Morello, signed this Guitar Hero III package, but why would anyone get Ozzy to sign this? He's not in the game!

Still, it's pretty impressive to have Ozzy sign your toy guitar. The auction ends on June 25th, so get while the getting is good.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionauctionebaygh3guitar-heroguitarheroozzyozzy-osbourneslashtom-morelloThu, 19 Jun 2008 12:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/video-gates-bach-and-slash-know-how-to-rock/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/video-gates-bach-and-slash-know-how-to-rock/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/video-gates-bach-and-slash-know-how-to-rock/#commentsIf there was one highlight from last night's CES keynote we'd have to say Bill Gates and Robbie Bach's Guitar Hero III-off was pretty entertaining. Actually, neither actually played the game as they each had their own "ringer" to play for them, but that's half the fun. We'll agree that it's a bit scripted, a bit awkward at times and a tad of a stretch, but seeing Bill Gates bringing Slash on stage and watching the over-production of it all is simply priceless. Not to mention the fact that we have Les Paul faceplate envy and hope Microsoft hooks us up with the one they used on stage. Relax, watch and enjoy.

While armchair rockers eagerly await this fall's showdown between Rock Band and Guitar Hero, Activision has released a series of song compilations now available from the iTunes Store featuring music from all four Guitar Hero games, including Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. The so -called "Guitar Hero Essentials" collection is made up of more than 1300 different tracks, including "nearly every song" from the rhythm game franchise, making us curious as to just what songs didn't make the cut.

In addition, unlike the lion's share of the covers featured in earlier released Guitar Hero titles, these songs are the original artist master recordings from bands such as Pearl Jam, Aerosmith, Rage Against the Machine, and Metallica. Also included in the set are also guitar-themed playlists from Steve Jones and Slash, no doubt ideal for those who cannot get enough of living life vicariously through their favorite guitar virtuosos.

However, before you jump off the deep end and begin offering money to the iTunes gods for downloading rights, Activision notes that while some songs from the Guitar Hero series represent newly re-recorded master recordings, these appear to not be included in this collection, making this less an "essential" compilation of Guitar Hero tracks, and more just an assembly of rocking tunes. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

If you were too afraid to burn a copy of the Guitar Hero III demo or were too uncoordinated to buy Tony Hawk Proving Ground, a third way of getting "your shred on" will emerge tomorrow with a five-song demo for the game hitting Xbox Live. If you're still cautious about the whole "Internet Craze" you can also get the demo with the December issue of OXM.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionguitarheroguitarhero3gunsnrosesPS2PS3redoctaneslashvelvetrevolverWiiXbox-360Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:25:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/23/tgs-06-lost-regnum-impresses/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/23/tgs-06-lost-regnum-impresses/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/23/tgs-06-lost-regnum-impresses/#commentsOne game that we haven't heard a lot about is Goshow's Lost Regnum, but the game, which is a dungeon-crawling hack 'n slasher, found its way to the Tokyo Game Show.

While currently it doesn't seem likely the game will make its way across the pond, IGN says the gameplay is straightforward enough that it should make for a great import.

In Lost Regnum, you control one of four characters and can team up with a pal to play two-player co-op throughout the game. Graphically, the game seems to be pretty impressive with nice textures and detailed characters that move very well. And to make it even better, loading was nearly non-existent. However, all good things come at a price, right? It seems Goshow had to cut some corners by limiting the draw distance by the ever-dreaded fog.

The biggest hurdle Goshow has, like any developer has in making a game of this ilk, is keeping the combat fresh and unrepetitive. If they can deliver, they may have a great game on their hands and one worthy of an import.

Without revealing too much of the sequel's plot, our hairless hero now sports some new magical attacks and context-sensitive finishing moves. Needless to say, prominent Greek mythological figures will also be showing up to keep Kratos company, and there will certainly be a lot of flashy slashing-first-ask-questions-later kind of action to fill the hours.

For more spoilers on "an early section of the sequel," simply follow the image link above or Read link below, where you can find a few more details on the new power-up system and annoying enemy combatants (otherwise known as smarter fodder for your sharper blades). A practical explanation goes into the reasons for keeping things on the PS2 rather than the PS3, and hopefully less frustrating puzzles are revealed as well. More will likely be revealed at Sony's big E3 press conference today.